Aurora in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Memorial Bridge

Aurora, Illinois

— 1930-1931 —

Memorial Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2026

1. Memorial Bridge Marker

Inscription. Be this memorial forever dedicated to the defenders of American ideals; as a reverent memory to the departed; as a vivid tribute to the living; and as a patriotic challenge to posterity, that these ideals shall not perish. Anon.

Erected 1931 by City of Aurora.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I.

Location. 41° 45.51′ N, 88° 18.764′ W. Memorial is in Aurora, Illinois, in Kane County. It is on New York Street west of Broadway (Illinois Route 25), on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the north side of the bridge's crossing over the eastern side of the Fox River as it cuts through downtown Aurora. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 36 E New York St, Aurora IL 60505, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 31 North Broadway (within shouting distance of this marker); The City of Lights (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph and Samuel McCarty (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paramount Theatre (about 500 feet away); German-American Bank Building • American National Bank

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(about 500 feet away); Aurora National Bank Building (about 600 feet away); Aurora Hotel • Leland Hotel (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Memorial Bridge (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aurora.

More about this memorial. An identical plaque can be found on the western side of the bridge, about 200 yards west of here. Two sculptures can also be found in the middle of the bridge, near the present-day site of the Hollywood Casino.

Across the street from this marker is a dedication plaque naming two Aurora mayors and several city officials from the time when this bridge was built. A similar plaque was not seen here on the western side of the bridge.

Regarding Memorial Bridge. This Art Moderne-style bridge was officially unveiled on Armistice Day 1931, replacing an iron-trestle bridge that originally crossed the Fox River at this spot on the north edge of downtown Aurora. Artist Emory Seidel, based in Oak Park, a near-west suburb of Chicago, was originally hired to create a suitable memorial to World War I, but decided to design the entire bridge as a memorial to the war's veterans. Gracing both

Memorial Bridge marker and sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2026

2. Memorial Bridge marker and sculpture

Hollywood Casino is in the rear.

bridge entryways are four concrete sculptures (two on either side) called "Memory," each of them a kneeling, hooded female figure with her eyes closed; each is holding a wreath in one hand and a doughboy helmet in the other. At the center of the bridge are two more sculptures, one called "Goddess of Victory" in front of the Hollywood Casino, and one across the street in front of the parking garage called "Branches of Service."

The bridge is commonly known as the New York Avenue Bridge, related to its street name. News reports indicate that its official name is the John J. Pershing Memorial Bridge, honoring the World War I commander. Unlike the other bridges that cross the Fox River in downtown Aurora, this is one long bridge that crosses over Stolp Island — a large island in the middle of downtown — rather than two short bridges over either branch of the river. The reason is that the bridge originally crossed the river north of the island, but landfill was used to expand the island beneath this bridge. Today the northern part of the island is home to Hollywood Casino and a parking garage.

Memorial Bridge Marker and the Fox River (facing north) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2026

3. Memorial Bridge Marker and the Fox River (facing north)

Memorial Bridge plaque on the south side of the bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2026

4. Memorial Bridge plaque on the south side of the bridge

Opposite the primary marker is this similarly styled plaque listing several city officials, including two mayors, some commissioners and the city engineer.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 3, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.